As a neuro optometry practice there are often patients who overlap with two subspecialties of optometry. For example a stroke patient may require neuro optometric rehabilitation as well as low vision. Because we see so many patients with complex cases, there are many benefits to having both specialties at our practice, which allows us to provide a more holistic treatment program for any patient that comes to us.
What is low vision?
Low vision is defined as a significant vision impairment that cannot be fully corrected by glasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery. The number of cases of low vision is on the rise. The leading cause of permanent vision loss in Americans over the age of 60 is from macular degeneration. Another common cause of low vision is a stroke, these patients benefit from vision rehabilitation and low vision treatment. As a multi-specialty practice our eye doctors use different strategies to enable patients to be able to live safely in the community even when they have lost some of their vision.
Causes of low vision
Eye diseases or conditions that cause low vision include:
- Cataracts: Cloudiness of the natural lens of your eye results in a cataract. When the proteins in your lens break down, things appear blurry, hazy, or less colorful.
- Macular degeneration: A condition in which a person gradually loses the central part of their vision.
- Diabetic retinopathy: Damage to the retina caused by diabetes, which can result in blind spots, blurriness and distortion of vision.
- Glaucoma: Damage caused to the retina by excessive eye pressure. This gradually reduces peripheral vision.
- Retinitis pigmentosa: A condition in which the retina deteriorates leading to reduced peripheral vision and reduced abilities to see in the dark.
Categories of low vision
According to the American Optometric Association, low vision falls into two categories:
Partially sighted: the person has visual acuity between 20/70 and 20/200 with conventional prescription lenses.
Legally blind: the person has visual acuity no better than 20/200 with conventional correction and/or a restricted field of vision less than 20 degrees wide.
What are the most common low vision aids?
Visual aids are helpful to many people with low vision. Some of the most popular low vision aids are:
- Telescopic glasses
- Filtering lenses
- Magnifying glasses
- Hand magnifiers
- Closed-circuit televisions
- Reading prisms
Why choose Amplify EyeCare of Greater Long Beach for your Low Vision care?
If you have permanent vision loss and are in need of a low vision optometrist, you should always schedule an evaluation. By combining two specialties in optometry that are usually performed at separate offices, our office has a unique position. If a patient with low vision has a complex case, has experienced a traumatic brain injury such as a concussion, or has low vision as a result of a stroke, our office can give them a more holistic approach to treatment.
